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Serve this easy vegetable side with Air Fryer Steak, Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp, or Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts. I make my butternut squash in the Ninja Foodi, but the same method works in other air fryers. For a different type of squash, try my Air Fryer Squash or Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick: Cooking butternut squash in the air fryer takes about half the time of roasting it in a conventional oven.
- Easy to prepare: Starting with pre-cut squash eliminates the work of peeling and cutting a whole butternut squash.
- Warm, savory flavor: Herbs, black pepper, and a touch of cinnamon complement the squash’s natural sweetness.
- Easy to customize: Keep the original seasoning or use maple and warm spices for a sweeter variation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses six simple ingredients. Here is what you’ll need:
- Butternut squash: I buy peeled and pre-cut butternut squash from the grocery store to save time. You can also peel a whole squash, remove the seeds, and cut the flesh into evenly sized 1-inch cubes. The amount I use is about what you would get from one medium butternut squash.
- Olive oil or avocado oil: A light coating helps the seasonings stick and encourages the edges to brown.
- 24 Herbs Sprinkle Seasoning: This salt-free blend adds plenty of savory herb flavor without requiring several individual spices. You can replace it with another salt-free herb seasoning that you enjoy.
- Fine sea salt: Adding the salt separately allows you to adjust it based on the seasoning blend you use.
- Black pepper: This adds mild peppery flavor and balances the natural sweetness of the squash.
- Cinnamon: A small amount gives the savory squash warmth without making it taste like dessert. It also works especially well if you plan to use the cooked squash in soup.
Check the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact ingredient amounts and complete instructions.
How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer
Season the squash
Add the butternut squash and oil to a large bowl, then toss until each cube has a light, even coating. Sprinkle in the herbs, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon, then toss again so the seasonings reach all sides.
Arrange the cubes
Place the squash in the air fryer basket in an even layer. Leave some room for the hot air to circulate so the squash roasts and browns instead of steaming.
Air fry until tender
Air fry the squash at 400°F, turning the cubes or shaking the basket halfway through. It is ready when a fork slides easily into the centers and the edges are lightly browned.
Cooking Time and Temperature
I cook butternut squash in the air fryer at 400°F for 16 to 18 minutes. Turn the cubes after the first 8 to 9 minutes so they cook and brown more evenly.
The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the cubes, the amount of squash in the basket, and your air fryer model. Evenly cut 1-inch cubes should become tender while still holding their shape.
If the outside is browned but the centers are still firm, continue cooking for a few more minutes.
How to Make Butternut Squash in the Ninja Foodi
I make this recipe in the Ninja Foodi using the air fryer function. Arrange the seasoned cubes in the cooking basket and air fry them at 400°F, turning them halfway through the cooking time.
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You can use the same temperature and method in another basket-style air fryer. Since different models vary in size and power, begin checking the squash for tenderness near the end of the cooking time.
Tips for the Best Results
- Cut evenly sized cubes: Pieces that are close to the same size are more likely to finish cooking at the same time.
- Pat wet squash dry: Packaged squash sometimes has extra moisture on its surface. Drying it helps the oil stick and encourages better browning.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket: Cook in batches if necessary. Packing in too much squash traps moisture and prevents the edges from caramelizing.
- Turn the pieces halfway through: This exposes more of each cube to the circulating heat.
- Check a larger cube: Browning is not the only sign of doneness. Pierce one of the larger pieces with a fork to make sure the center is tender.
Flavor Variations
Maple Cinnamon Squash
For a sweet version, omit the savory herb seasoning and toss the butternut squash with pure maple syrup and cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. Add the maple syrup before air frying so it cooks onto the squash and creates a lightly caramelized coating. Be sure to use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup, which has a different flavor and ingredients. Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice both complement the natural sweetness of butternut squash, so you can use whichever warm spice flavor you prefer.
Sweet and Savory Maple Squash
For a sweet and savory option, combine pure maple syrup with steak seasoning, similar to the flavor combination I use for my Maple Glazed Carrots. The savory spices balance the maple while complementing the butternut squash. Toss both ingredients with the cubes before cooking, then air fry them using the same time and temperature as the original recipe.
Savory Herb Squash
For a fully savory version, omit the cinnamon and season the squash with the herb blend, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. You can also replace the herb seasoning with my Cajun Seasoning or Creole Seasoning for bolder flavor and a little heat.
Can You Air Fry Butternut Squash Zig Zags?
Yes. You can use the same oil and seasoning mixture with pre-cut butternut squash zig zags. Arrange the pieces in an even layer and air fry them at 400°F, turning them halfway through. Since packaged zig-zag cuts can vary in thickness, use their texture rather than the cooking time for cubes to determine when they are ready. The centers should be fork-tender with lightly browned edges. These decorative cuts are a fun alternative to regular cubes, but they will remain softer than traditional sweet potato or other homemade fries in the air fryer.
Storage and Reheating
- Use the leftovers: Add the squash to salads or grain bowls, or use it as the roasted base for my Air Fryer Butternut Squash Soup.
- Store: Keep leftover butternut squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- Reheat in the air fryer: Air fry the leftovers at 350°F until warmed through. This helps refresh some of the browned edges.
- Reheat in the microwave: Microwave the squash in short intervals until hot. It will be softer than squash reheated in the air fryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Butternut squash skin is edible, but I prefer to peel it before cutting the squash into cubes for a more consistently tender texture. You can also save time by using packaged, pre-cut butternut squash.
Yes. Pre-cut butternut squash works well in the air fryer and saves prep time. Cut any noticeably large pieces smaller so the cubes cook evenly.
The squash is done when a fork slides easily into the center of a cube. The pieces should be tender but still hold their shape, with lightly browned or caramelized edges.
Excess moisture or an overcrowded basket can prevent browning. Pat the squash dry before seasoning it and arrange the cubes in an even layer, cooking in batches if needed.
Air fry butternut squash at 400°F. This temperature cooks the centers quickly while helping the edges become lightly browned and caramelized.
What to Serve With It
Use this easy side dish to build a complete dinner:
- Steak dinner: Pair it with Air Fryer Steak when you have a dual air fryer. Otherwise, make Pan Seared Steak or oven-baked hamburger steaks while the squash cooks in the air fryer.
- Salmon dinner: Make Blackened Salmon or Pan Seared Salmon on the stovetop. You can also make Air Fryer Salmon alongside it in a dual air fryer or air fryer oven.
- Shrimp dinner: Serve it with Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp for a quick meal with a little spice. Cook both at once in separate baskets, or make the shrimp after the squash since it cooks quickly.
- BBQ chicken dinner: The natural sweetness of the squash complements Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts. Use separate baskets or make bbq chicken in the oven using my BBQ Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks.
- Add another side: Make the meal more filling with Lemon Orzo Pasta, especially alongside steak or salmon. For another vegetable, add Sautéed Green Beans or Baked Asparagus.
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Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Use DRDAVINAHS at checkout to save on some equipment & ingredients!
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 21 oz Butternut squash, cubed, I buy these in a bag, pre-cut
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp 24 Herbs Sprinkle Seasoning (Salt-free)
- 1/2 tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt, use DRDAVINAHS to save
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/8 tsp Ground Cinnamon, optional
Instructions
- Add the cubed butternut squash to a bowl with the olive oil.
- Add the spices to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Place the squash in an even layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 8-9 minutes per side.
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Recipe Notes
- Cube size: Cut the squash into even 1-inch cubes. Pat packaged squash dry if it has excess moisture.
- Air fryer size: Arrange the squash in an even layer and cook in batches if needed. Cooking times can vary by model.
- Sweet variation: Omit the herb seasoning and use pure maple syrup with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or both.
- Sweet and savory variation: Combine pure maple syrup with steak seasoning.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
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